Ice tray and grid structure



@cih 5, W54 R. c. GRINNELL zfi fi fim ICE TRAY AND GRID STRUCTURE Filed April 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. RICH/7R0 C. Qfi/DDCLL Get, 5 954 R. c. GRlNNELL ICE TRAY AND GRID STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6. 1951 R m w m m m t t m a M W w M Patented Oct. 5, 1954 ICE TRAY AND GRID STRUCTURE Richard C. Grinnell, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Philco Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa... a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 6, 1951, Serial No. 219,536

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to liquid freezing devices. More particularly, the invention has to do with complementary tray and grid members of the kind employed to produce ice cubes in domestic refrigerators.

At times, it becomes desirable to break up the cubes in chunks or fragments, and various kinds of devices to chip or break the cubes have been made and are available for home use. However, most of these devices are so cumbersome to manipulate and so expensive to own that their generalized use is prohibited. For that reason, the practice of pounding the ice cubes with a mallet or similar implement until ice fragments of suitable size are obtained, is generally accepted even though the procedure is objectionable because it requires unpleasant handling of the ice cubes and often results in messy operations.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive arrangement where-by fragmentation of ice cubes may be readily and tidily accomplished by the mere expedient of removing the grid member from the tray member.

Other and more specific objects of the invention are: the elimination of cube handling when it is desired to fracture ice cubes; the provision of an arrangement which can be easily operated to break ice cubes into chunks or fragments within the freezing tray, and which makes it possible to employ an ordinary grid as part of the means which effects breaking of the ice cubes; and the provision of a tray and grid arrangement which can produce whole ice cubes or which can be used to break the cubes into irregular pieces.

According to a broader aspect of the invention, the novel arrangement includes means adapted to be supported within a freezing tray and across spaced transverse grid plates which are arranged on a longitudinal grid element to provide ice cube confining surfaces. The mentioned means is engageable with the confined ice cubes and tends to hold them forcibly between said confining surfaces. The transverse plates are pivo'tally mounted to move relatively to said means and forcibly against the confined ice cubes. Thus, the plates tend to displace the ice cubes between said confining surfaces and against the holding force of said means, with the result that the ice cubes are broken up into chunks or fragments.

According to a narrower aspect of the invention, the means which extends crosswise of the transverse grid plates, take the form of elongated members or rods. Thes rods, in use, are immersed in the water which is frozen in the tray.

In this manner, the rods become imbedded in the ice cubes and most effectively act to break up the cubes when the latter are subjected to the effects of the forced pivotal movement of the transverse grid plates. narrower aspect of the invention, the elongated members or rods are conveniently associated with an ordinary tray-and-grid combination, and a most practicable embodiment of the invention is realized by providing the transverse plates of a well known grid structure, with apertures which freely and removably receive the rods. An embodiment of this sort has the advantage that the tray-and-grid combination can :be used, with the rods, to obtain ice fragments from frozen cubes or, without the rods, to produce whole ice cubes in the customary way.

The manner in which the above, as well as other objects and advantages, may best be achieved will clearly appear from the following description of the apparatus embodying the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a tray-and-' grid combination incorporating the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Figure l Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views schematically illustrating the operation of the arrangement which effects breakage of ice cubes into chunks or fragments; and

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2, but shows the grid partially out of the tray, and a rod partially removed from its engagement with the transverse grid plates.

It is pointed out that, for the purpose of illustration, the invention is shown in conjunction with a well known tray-and -grid structure which has long been available on the market for general household use. The constructional and operational features of such a tray-and-grid structure are fully disclosed in Patent No. 2,516,257 which issued July 25, 1950, to Frederick W. Sampson, on an application filed February 14, 1948.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a tray-and-grid structure of the above-stated variety, includes a tray l0 and a grid ll. The tray is formed of suitable sheet material to provide abottom wall 12, opposite side walls l3 and end walls Hi. The grid comprises a plurality of spaced transverse plates [5 which define ice cube confining surfaces l6 and IT. The transverse grid plates, as shown at 18, are pivotally arranged in slots [-9 provided at the lower marginal edge of 4 a lcngit udinal grid element 20 which bisects said In accordance with thisv plates. Mechanism, in the form of a handle 2! and interconnected links 22, is employed to impart pivotal movement to said grid plates. For that purpose, the handle is hingedly anchored, as at 23, to one end portion of the longitudinal grid element, and the links are slida'bly arranged on said element and; as indicated at 24, engage the upper portion of the transverse grid plates. The first link 22a adjacent the connection of the handle with the longitudinal grid member, is pivotally attached, as at 25, to said handle so that upward swinging movement of the handle imparts a sliding motion to the links which, in turn, imparts a pivotal motion to the transverse grid plates. This pivotal motion of the transverse grid plates, in normal use of the device, tends to displace the ice cubes and to free them from both the tray and. the grid. The construction and assembly of the links is such that pivotal movement of the successive transverse grid plates occurs progressively so as to minimize the manual effort necessary to effect release of the cubes. As hereinbefore indicated, the structure and combination of the tray and grid above described, is well known in the art.

The novel features of the present invention and the manner in. which these features are incorporated in such known tray-and-grid structure, will now be described. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, means, in the form of elongated members or rods 26, is supported within the tray and crosswise of the transverse grid plates I to engage the ice cubes confined between surfaces IE and I? provided by each two adjacent grid plates. For that purpose, each transverse grid plate is conveniently provided with a pair of apertures 21, one to each side of the longitudinal grid element, and through which the rods are freely and removably received. The rods are of a length slightly less than the overall length of the grid so that, when said grid and rods are placed in the tray, they fit and nest loosely within the latter. In practice, the apertures in the transverse grid plates are advantageously located to suspend the rods so that, when in use, they become submerged in the water which fills the tray. In this manner, when the water freezes into ice cubes, the rods are surrounded with ice and become firmly imbedded in the cubes.

The manner in which the rods and transverse grid plates cooperate to fracture the ice cubes is best seen in Figures 3 and 4 which show two of the transverse plates [5, an ice cube C and one of the rods 26. As represented by arrow A in Figure 3, the engagement of the rod with the ice cube tends to hold it down between the grid plates when attempt is made to displace the cube by application of force in the general direction represented by arrow B, as a result of the pivotal movement of said plates from cube-freezing position P to cube-freeing position P. It will be understood that reaction of the holding and displacing forces imparted to the ice cube by the stationary rod and moving plates, subjects the cube to internal stresses which causes said cube to break up into pieces as is represented in Figure 4. It will also be understood that because the grid, as hereinbefore stated, acts to loosen and move the successive ice cubes progressively, the breaking action on said cubes likewise occurs progressively, so that fragmentation of the cubes requires but little effort on the part of the user.

In practice, it is advantageous to place the rods so that they extend crosswise through the lower 3 larger fragments.

half portion of the transverse grid plates and, thus, become imbedded within the lower half portion of the ice cubes. By so locating the rods, the breaking of the ice is facilitated and, as represented in Figure 4, the portion of the cubes below the rods break up in small fragments C1 which fall and remain in the tray when the grid is removed therefrom, whereas the portion of the cubes above the rods break up in larger fragments C2 which tend to remain between the grid plates due to the. presence of the rods. This latter feature makes it possible to use, as desired, only smaller fragments of ice, or only larger fragments of ice, or a mixture of both smaller and In other words, if it is desired to use only smaller fragments, these can be taken from the tray while the grid with the larger fragments adhering thereto is lifted out of the tray; if it is desired to use only larger fragments, these can be obtained by removing the grid with the adhering larger fragments and then emptying these larger fragments from the grid into a suitablev receptacle, such as the tray after removing the smaller fragments therefrom; or if it is desired to use a mixture of smaller and larger fragments, this can be readily done, as illustrated in Figure 5, by lifting the grid from the tray and withdrawing the rods 2%, thereby allowing the larger fragments to fall into the tray to be therein mixed with the smaller fragments.

Also, in practice, it is advantageous to provide the extreme end portion of the grid with an additional transverse plate 15a. in which the apertures, such as those designated at 2'! in the other transverse plates i5, are omitted. This additional plate conveniently serves as means to arrest the rods and to locate them in proper position, when placed in engagement with the grid structure from the other or handle end portion of said structure. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, a space 23 will be defined by the-plate [5a and adjacent end wall of the tray. Of course, ice will form in this space, but the ice thus formed will be so thin as not to interfere with the normal and intended function of the grid.

If desired, only one rod may be used. In that event, when the grid is manipulated, the ice cubes on the side of the longitudinal grid element to which the rod is located will be broken up into fragments, whereas the cubes on the other side of said element will remain whole.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the invention provides a greatly simplified arrangement by means of which ice cubes, as normally produced in domestic refrigerators, may be readily fractured in pieces of suitable size in response to usual manipulation of the grid to free and release the cubes. Especially, the arrangement which provides for fragmentation of ice cubes into comparatively small and large chunks and which makes it possible to maintain the larger chunks separated from the smaller chunks, unless otherwise desired, is singularly advantageous. Also, the fact that the tray-andgrid combination can be readily adapted to produce either whole or fragmented ice cubes, is of significant merit, since it eliminates duplication of parts and does away with the need to use a special grid to obtain ice cube fragments.

I claim:

1. A device for freezing 1 into ice cubes and for breaking ice cur. s into agments, consisting of a tray adapted to contain liquid to be frozen and a grid structure within the tray to 'ide its interior into ice cube compartments,

said grid structure comprising: a plurality of plates spaced to provide ice cube confining sur faces supported within the tray for pivotal movement in a direction to displace the ice cubes confined between said surfaces, each of said plates having an aperture in that portion which is adapted to be normally immersed in the liquid contained within the tray, rod-like means passing through the apertures in said plates and suspended by said plate portions in an elevated position in which said means lies below the normal level of the liquid within the tray and at a sub stantial distance from the bottom of the latter so to become firmly imbedded in the ice cubes, and mechanism connected with said plates and operable to impart the aforesaid pivotal movement to said plates, said means holding the ice cubes against displacement by the mentioned pivotal movement of said plates to cause the fragmentation of ice cubes.

2. A device for freezing liquid into ice cubes and for breaking ice cubes into fragments, consisting of a tray adapted to contain liquid to be frozen and a grid structure within the tray to divide its interior into ice cube compartments, said grid structure comprising: a plurality of plates spaced to provide ice cube confining surfaces and supported within the tray for pivotal movement in a direction to displace the ice cubes confined between said surfaces, each of said plates having an aperture in that portion which is adapted to be normally immersed in the liquid contained within the tray, a rod-like member passing through the aperture in each of said plates and suspended by said plate portions in an elevated position in which said member lies below the normal level of the liquid within the tray and at a substantial distance from the bottom of the latter to become firmly imbedded in the ice cubes, and mechanism connected with said plates and operable to impart the aforesaid pivotal movement to said plates, said member holding the ice cubes against displacement by the mentioned pivotal movement of said plates to cause the fragmentation of ice cubes.

3. A device for freezing liquid into ice cubes and for breaking ice cubes into fragments, consisting of a tray adapted to contain liquid to be frozen and a grid structure within the tray to divide its interior into ice cube compartments, said grid structure comprising: a plurality of transverse grid plates, a longitudinal grid element on which said plates are spaced to provide ice cube confining surfaces and on which said plates are mounted for pivotal movement in a direction to displace the ice cubes confined between said surfaces, each of said plates having a pair of apertures in that portion which is adapted to be normally immersed in the liquid contained within the tray, one of said apertures being disposed to one side of the longitudinal grid element and the other of said apertures being disposed to the other side of said element, rods slidably passing through the apertures in said plates and suspended by said plate portions in an elevated position in which said rods lie below the normal level of the liquid within the tray and at a substantial distance from the bottom of the latter to become firmly imbedded in the ice cubes, and mechanism connected with said plates and operable to impart the aforesaid pivotal movement to said plates, said rods holding the ice cubes against displacement by the mentioned pivotal movement of said plates to cause the fragmentation of ice cubes.

4. An ice cube fragmentizing grid structure for use with a tray adapted to contain liquid to be frozen into ice cubes, comprising a plurality of substantially parallel spaced plates, each of said plates having a portion adapted to extend in the liquid within the tray, said portions forming ice cube confining surfaces, each of said plates further having an aperture in said portion, rodlike means passing through the apertures in said plates and suspended by said plate portions in an elevated position in which said means is adapted to lie submerged in liquid and to become firmly imbedded in ice cubes, and mounting means upon which said plates are mounted for pivotal movement in a direction to displace the ice cubes confined between said surfaces, said mounting means including mechanism operable to impart the aforesaid pivotal movement to said plates While said rod-like means holds the ice cubes against displacement to cause fragmentation of ice cubes.

5. An ice cube fragmentizing grid structure for use with a tray adapted to contain liquid to be frozen into ice cubes, comprising a plurality of substantially parallel spaced plates, each of said plates having a portion adapted to extend in the liquid within the tray, said portions forming ice cube confining surfaces, each of said plates further having an aperture in said portion, a rodlike member passing through the apertures in each of said plates and suspended by said plate portions in an elevated position in which said member is adapted to lie submerged in liquid and to become firmly imbedded in ice cubes, and mounting means upon which said plates are mounted for pivotal movement in a direction to displace the ice cubes confined between said surfaces, said mounting means including mechanism operable to impart the aforesaid pivotal movement to said plates while said rod-like member holds the ice cubes against displacement to cause the fragmentation of ice cubes.

6. An ice cube fragmentizing grid structure for use with a tray adapted to contain liquid to be frozen into ice cubes, comprising a plurality of transverse grid plates, a longitudinal grid element on which said plates are spaced to provide ice cube confining surfaces and on which said plates are mounted for pivotal movement in a direction to displace the ice cubes confined between said surfaces, each of said plates having a portion adapted to be immersed in liquid within the tray and further having a pair of apertures in said portion, one of said apertures being disposed to one side of the longitudinal grid element and the other of said apertures being disposed to the other side of said element, rods slidably passing through the apertures in said plates and suspended by said plate portions in an elevated position in which said rods are adapted to lie submerged in liquid and to become firmly imbedded in ice cubes, and mechanism connected with said plates and operable to impart the aforesaid pivotal movement to said plates while said rods hold the ice cubes against displacement to cause the fragmentaition of ice cubes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,173,807 Keiper Sept. 19, 1939 2,215,324 Hallock Sept. 17, 1940 2,251,628 Kelly Aug. 5, 1941 2,267,440 Carney Dec. 23, 1941 2,286,693 Steenstrup June 16, 1942 2,619,807 Ezba Dec. 2, 1952 

